Two Soldiers Injured in Clash with Armed Civilians on Colombian Border

Two Ecuadorian soldiers sustained injuries in an armed confrontation with a group of "armed civilians" in the Amazonian province of Sucumbíos, which borders Colombia. The incident occurred in an area known for illegal mining activities, according to a statement from the Ecuadorian Army.

The injured soldiers have been evacuated for medical attention. Preliminary information indicates that there were likely fatalities and injuries among the armed civilian group, though the exact number of victims has not been specified. The clash took place in the Taruka sector of the Cascales municipality.

This operation was part of the "internal armed conflict" declared by the government in January 2024 against criminal organizations. The Army reported that soldiers on patrol in the illegal mining zone were fired upon by civilian groups. The soldiers responded in "strict adherence to the legitimate and progressive use of force."

The Ecuadorian Army stated its commitment to continuing operations in the region. These operations have intensified since 2024 when the government began classifying criminal gangs as "terrorists" and escalated its fight against drug trafficking and illegal mining. President Daniel Noboa has recently reinforced military presence on the northern border, expressing concerns that Colombia is not acting decisively enough against criminal activities originating from its territory.

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in strict compliance with the legitimate and progressive use of force